Algorithms And Crime.
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Algorithms and Crime
Chapter six illustrates the role of algorithms in resolving incidents; firstly, the chapter describes the use of Rossmo’s algorithm to solve a case of a serial rapist. The algorithm focused mainly on geographical patterns leveraging the observation that criminals unwillingly followed a pattern defined by two primary concepts of “distance decay and the buffer zone.” Based on the pattern of crimes reported, the computer algorithm was able to identify two locations that ultimately proved to be the residence of the perpetrator (Fry, 2018). However, the author points out that in order for the algorithm to be deemed significantly useful in the context of other prevalent crimes, it required a different pattern of approach. The author describes the concept of “Charts of The Future” and how it was used to paint a bigger picture of the crime. The charts were revolutionary, playing a significant role in reducing crime; the digitization of the “charts of the future” is also described to help in crime prediction through the concept of “the flag and the boost,” thus giving birth to predictive policing (Fry, 2018)
The concept of predictive policing utilizing the concept of “cops-on-the-dots” concept and sophisticated algorithms are capable of identifying the at-risk places and addresses; people could be warned, and police patrols also to be increased in such places to help in preventing crime; surprisingly positive outcome was obtained including reduced crime and saving of several lives (Ferguson, 2016). The introduction of facial recognition algorithms is also a breakthrough in crime detection and prevention since computers can recognize distinctively more than humans. The use of cameras in public places to identify criminals through important sometimes is a breach of privacy; this calls for a balance by weighing the pros and the cons. Equally important is to accept that the facial recognition software and the cameras have helped nab criminals even for some cases that have gone cold (Bachhety et al. 2018).